| 14 November 2005 - DOING TIME: IRISH PRISONERS OVERSEAS AND THEIR FAMILIES 20th anniversary conference of the Irish Commission for Prisoners Overseas |
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PRESS RELEASE14 NOVEMBER 2005DOING TIME: IRISH PRISONERS OVERSEAS AND THEIR FAMILIES20th anniversary conference of the Irish Commission for Prisoners Overseas* Bishop Seamus Hegarty: “while in prison, a person may have to give up on their liberty, but not on their soul.” * Archbishop Seán Brady: “The Irish Commission for Prisoners Overseas is a truly wonderful ministry. I pay tribute to your provision of an invaluable service.” * President Mary McAleese: “As torchbearers for human rights for Irish prisoners abroad, you have provided vital pastoral services to prisoners, and their families, and have been a voice for their rights and dignity as human beings.” The Catholic Bishops’ Irish Commission for Prisoners Overseas (ICPO) hosted a conference today in Dublin to mark its 20th anniversary. The theme of the conference was ‘Doing Time: Irish Prisoners Overseas and their Families’. Opening the conference, Bishop Seamus Hegarty said: “The Irish Commission for Prisoners Overseas is currently the only organisation working on behalf of Irish prisoners overseas and their families. Their welfare and needs are important to us. “So as to best focus our resources, we recently undertook a survey amongst prisoner families in order to evaluate the needs of Irish prisoners overseas regarding the service provided by the ICPO and support services in general. Our survey found that: - families in need of ICPO support are not a homogenous group and include parents, spouses, siblings, children and other relatives of prisoners overseas; - of the families who had been in touch with the ICPO for help, 93% said that they were satisfied with the service they received; - respondents emphasised the non-judgemental, caring and listening nature of the ICPO service; - the need for emotional and financial support was evident throughout the study; - in particular, families found it difficult to finance a visit to support their relative, or to meet the cost of basic prison supplies such as food, clothing, stamps and phone cards; - the lack of clear information and legal support services emerged as a significant problem for families struggling with a foreign legal and prison system; - families were concerned about the lack of any post-release support services available for their relative on release from prison.” Bishop Hegarty said: “I welcome the recent Government appointment of former Minister of State, Mr Chris Flood, to lead the first major study into Irish prisoners abroad.” Archbishop Seán Brady, President of the Irish Bishops’ Conference, sent a message of congratulations to the Commission: “I would like to take this opportunity to wish the Irish Commission for Prisoners Overseas my very best wishes on reaching such a magnificent landmark. I pay tribute to your provision of an invaluable service to prisoners overseas and their families here in Ireland. It is a truly wonderful ministry and I thank you, and through you, your colleagues for all the dedicated work carried out on behalf of the Irish Episcopal Conference.” President Mary McAleese, one of the founding members of the Commission, conveyed a special message to participants at the conference: “As a founding member, I feel a tremendous sense of pride in being associated with the work of the Irish Commission for Prisoners Overseas and I would very much have liked to be with you today to mark your 20th anniversary. Unfortunately, unforeseen commitments have not made this possible. “Being imprisoned abroad, often where they cannot speak the language, places huge burdens on prisoners and their families. The cost of family visits, even to England, can be prohibitive and is all the more painful at a time like the present when we are all looking forward to Christmas. Prisoners' families are so often multiple victims, suffering the emotional and financial loss of a family member and the uncertainty of not knowing how that family member is surviving among strangers.” President McAleese continued: “The work that you do is never going to be easy, which is what makes it so commendable. As torchbearers for human rights for Irish prisoners abroad you have provided vital pastoral services to prisoners, and their families, and have been a voice for their rights and dignity as human beings. The work you have done to vindicate the rights and dignity of prisoners comes from a sincere calling and concern for their plight, and the plight of their loved ones at home. I am most grateful for that support and practical help which the Commission has often given to keep these people, and their families, going. “For all the work you have done on behalf of Irish prisoners overseas, and their families, I would like to say a heartfelt ‘comhghairdeachas agus go raibh míle maith agaibh go léir’.” The Archbishop of Dublin, Dr Diarmuid Martin, spoke at the conference on the issue of restorative justice. See www.catholiccommunications.ie/icpo for full speech. Further information: Martin Long, Director of Communications (086 172 7678) Brenda Drumm, Communications Officer (087 233 7797) NOTES TO EDITORS - Dr Seamus Hegarty is Bishop of Derry and Chair of the Irish Episcopal Commission for Emigrants, which was established in 1957. - The ICPO was set up by the Irish Bishops’ Conference in 1985 as a sub-commission of its Emigrants Commission. - The ICPO works for all Irish prisoners overseas wherever they are. The Commission makes no distinction in terms of religious faith, the nature of the prison conviction, or of a prisoner’s status. - The objectives of the ICPO are to identify and respond to the needs of Irish prisoners abroad and their families; research and provide relevant information to prisoners on issues such as deportation, repatriation and transfer; focus public attention on issues affecting Irish prisoners and engage in practical work in aid of justice and human rights for Irish migrants, refugees and prisoners at an international level. - Fr Alan Hilliard, Director of the IECE, is chair of the conference and speakers include: Dr Seamus Hegarty, Bishop of Derry and Chairman of the IECE; Dr Diarmuid Martin, Archbishop of Dublin and Chairman of the Department of Social Issues and International Affairs of the Irish Bishops' Conference; Ms Gráinne Prior, Coordinator, Irish Commission for Prisoners Overseas; Fr Gerry McFlynn, Director of ICPO London office; Ms Lucy Gampell, Director, Action for Prisoners Families UK; Ms Helen Johnston, Director, Combat Poverty Agency; Mr Ronan Bennett, Novelist; Ms Nuala Mole, AIRE (Advice on Independent Rights in Europe). - See www.catholiccommunications.ie/icpo for full details of the conference speeches and biographies of speakers. - Full details of ICPO family survey are also available at www.catholiccommunications.ie/icpobelow. This survey was undertaken by the Bishops’ Council for Research and Development: |